Recently I heard a story from Matt Chandler, when he shared an encounter he had during college, and I would love to share it with you. He tells the story of when he had gathered in a Christian conference with a thousand other students. The speaker stood to begin his message, but before doing so, he pulled out a beautiful rose. He said something like, “as I share with you, I want you to pass this rose around. Everybody touch it, feel the texture of the petals, and smell it.”


And, then, as the rose was making its way around the auditorium, the speaker proceeded to talk about purity and promiscuity and Matt described how harsh the message was; lots of condemnation and fear was presented.

When the speaker finished up, he asked for the rose. A student brought it on stage to him. The speaker then lifted it up and asked, “Who would want this rose?” Of course, his comparison was obvious to everybody in that room. The rose, like a promiscuous person, had been passed around, touched by many and by the time he held it again, the rose was missing petals. The leaves were wilted. It looked shabby and had lost its original beauty. “Who would want this rose?”

Matt described how angry he became and how much he wanted to shout, “Jesus wants the rose! Jesus wants the rose!”

Oh sister, you may have made choices that make you feel like that rose. Or, you may have been treated in a way that you had no control over and you feel like that rose. Jesus wants the rose. Jesus loves this rose. He doesn’t just love the pretty, fresh roses. He loves the wilted, worn, torn, and shabby roses too.

Everyone – every woman, every man, every child — everyone is a beautiful rose in the grace-filled hands of Jesus. He doesn’t just see where you are or where you’ve been; He doesn’t just see what you’ve done or what was done to you.

Jesus sees who you are and loves who you are. You are loved and wanted by Him—Jesus wants the rose.

Jesus came
“to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.” Isaiah 61:3

If you need these words today, receive them from the heart of Jesus. If you know someone who needs these words today, be the voice of Jesus as you speak grace and be the hands of Jesus as you embrace others with unconditional love.

Lord, thank You for wanting us. You love us. You receive us. Thank You for removing our shame and rejection and making us worthy and beautiful in You. Amen.

In the comments below, offer up a prayer to the Lord if you know of someone struggling with this, or if you are the one dealing with with something similar.  Let’s encourage each other, sisters!